Ceasefire violation: Indian envoy summoned over civilian killings

Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh was summoned by South Asia and SAARC Director General Mohammad Faisal to lodge a strong protest against ceasefire violations by Indian forces in Rawalakot Sector on Monday which resulted in the deaths of three civilians including a woman.

Faisal condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations, which also injured two people in Fatehpur village after their house was hit by an Indian mortar.

Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations. In 2017 to date, Indian forces have carried out more than 600 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, resulting in the martyrdom of 28 civilians and injuries to 113, as compared to 382 ceasefire violations in 2016.

The deliberate targeting of civilians is deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws, the DG said.

He urged India to respect the 2003 ceasefire arrangement, investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations, instruct Indian forces to respect the ceasefire in letter and spirit, and maintain peace on the LoC. He urged the Indian side to permit the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan to play its mandated role in line with various UN Security Council resolutions.